FMM on top at Mid-Ulster Championships

Cookstown, Northern Ireland – June 3, 2023 – Field Marshal Montgomery was the Grade 1 winner of the Mid-Ulster Pipe Band Championships, held on the grounds of Cookstown High School in a three-band medley competition. St. Laurence O’Toole took the drumming. It was the first competition for Field Marshal Montgomery, and the first under the band’s new leading-drummer, Gareth McLees.

The event was put on the RSPBA’s Northern Ireland Branch. More than 30 bands entered across all grades and the weather was spectacular.

Grade 1 (medley, three competed)
1st Field Marshal Montgomery (1,1,2,1)
2nd St. Laurence O’Toole (2,2,1,2)
3rd Closkelt (3,3,3,3)
Judges: John Wilson, Mark Faloon (piping); Brian Martin (drumming); Tony Sloan (ensemble)

Grade 2 (MSR, nine competed)
1st Ravara
2nd Manorcunningham
3rd St. Joseph’s
4th Clogher & District
Drumming: Ravara
Judges: William Garrett, John Reville, (piping); Paul Brown (drumming); Alan Ronaldson (ensemble)

Grade 3A (medley, nine competed)
1st Tullylagan
2nd Matt Boyd Memorial
3rd Kildoag
4th Clogher & District
Drumming: Tullylagan
Judges: John Wilson, Mark Faloon (piping); Brian Martin (drumming); Tony Sloan (ensemble)

Grade 3B (medley, two competed)
1st Cullybackey
2nd Cleland
Drumming: Cullybackey
Judges: William Garrett, John Reville, (piping); Paul Brown (drumming); Alan Ronaldson (ensemble)

Grade 4A (MSR, eight entered)
1st Gransha
2nd New Ross
3rd Cloughlin
4th Syerla
Drumming: Raphoe
Judges: John Wilson, Mark Faloon (piping); Brian Martin (drumming); Tony Sloan (ensemble)

Grade 4B (marches, 13 entered)
1st Altnaveigh
2nd Irvine Memorial
3rd Letterkenny
4th Upper Crossgare
Drumming: Altnaveigh
Judges: William Garrett, John Reville, (piping); Paul Brown (drumming); Alan Ronaldson (ensemble)